Fate Trading System – Chapter 92

Plan A

Rise in Another World 4

Secret Realm

If Duanmu Yao wanted to humiliate Su Xin, she didn’t need many methods or elaborate schemes. She only needed to focus on two words: “actual ability.”

For instance, she could pretend to play a small game, like destroying a silk handkerchief placed several hundred meters away. The challenge would be who could destroy it first and in what manner, testing the precision of one’s control over magic.

For others, this might be only slightly difficult, but for Su Xin, who could currently only conjure two small flames, it was truly extremely challenging.

Su Xin appeared very calm, looking fearless.

In her heart, she had no good way to deal with this, after all, this kind of disparity in magical ability was undeniably real.

But Su Xin wasn’t afraid; she had never been cowardly. She still remembered that incident involving Duanmu Yao, something Duanmu Yao absolutely wouldn’t want her to reveal.

As long as Su Xin spoke about it, there would certainly be people who would believe her.

Duanmu Yao wasn’t some little princess adored by everyone; she had made quite a few enemies. There were plenty of women in the Duanmu family who disapproved of her behavior.

After all, there had been no shortage of jealousy and rivalry. If Duanmu Yao had the ability to enchant men to the point of infatuation, there would certainly be other girls who resented her for such behavior.

Moreover, even if what Su Xin said was completely fabricated, once it came from her mouth, regardless of whether others believed it or not, those with ulterior motives would spread the gossip.

After all, everyone had witnessed Su Xin overpowering Duanmu Yao on the arena stage that day, even throwing her off the platform.

However, someone’s arrival disrupted everyone’s plans. This person was sent by Duanmu Qiao, looking for Su Xin, saying that the family head had summoned the sixth young miss to his study.

Who would dare defy the family head’s orders?

Duanmu Yao could only grit her teeth and abandon her planned series of revenge schemes, mouthing to Su Xin to “just wait.”

Fine, she’d wait. Damn idiot.

Several people hurriedly left, while Su Xin mentally shrugged.

Why would her father, who had always disdained her, suddenly send someone to find her?

The messenger was still waiting for Su Xin at the original spot. Su Xin told him she would change into more presentable clothes before meeting her father.

The messenger didn’t rush her, appearing to be in no particular hurry.

Su Xin changed out of her slightly tattered clothes and removed her makeup. She no longer looked miserably haggard as before, but rather gave the impression of someone just recovering from a serious illness.

Su Xin followed the messenger, entering the main courtyard she had barely visited twice before. She stood still at the door of the study, and the servant knocked on the door, inviting her to enter.

“Father.”

Su Xin looked somewhat timidly at Duanmu Qiao, who was standing in front of his desk, gazing respectfully and fearfully at this father who didn’t particularly like her.

“Sixth girl.”

Duanmu Qiao’s expression softened, and as he looked at Su Xin, his face even showed a strange sort of sympathy, as if he were sighing.

He had always disliked this timid, particularly unaccomplished daughter. She was the laughingstock of the main family line, not only failing to bring him pride but instead bringing him shame.

However, no matter how much he disliked this daughter, she was still his own flesh and blood. The impending events also left him feeling helpless.

Being born into the Duanmu family meant one was destined to never be an ordinary person.

So, even if she was utterly useless, she would have to grit her teeth and face everything, until death.

“Mm.”

Su Xin appeared somewhat surprised by the favor, as her father’s attitude towards her was gentle.

“Has your magic improved?”

Su Xin’s expression froze, and she lowered her head, her face pale.

Duanmu Qiao sighed, taking something from his desk and giving it to Su Xin.

It was a sword with a slender blade, looking agile and graceful.

“Father?”

“I saw you used a dagger last time. That thing is useless. Although this sword isn’t exactly a supreme treasure, but… Ah, here’s its sword manual. Since you don’t have fighting energy, you can only use it as an ordinary weapon. Still, it’s better than nothing, I suppose.”

Su Xin accepted the gift with surprise and uncertainty, looking at Duanmu Qiao with some trepidation.

“Father, this is…?”

“The Lu Yin Secret Realm is about to open.”

“So soon?”

Su Xin exclaimed in surprise.

The Lu Yin Secret Realm was a medium-sized secret realm jointly discovered by the four great magical families of the Eastern Country. It contained dangers and treasures, but while it wasn’t much for the experts of these families, it still posed some risks for fourteen or fifteen-year-old novice magic users. This was considered the first level of trials for the younger generation.

The Lu Yin Secret Realm typically opened once every ten years, though the timing was irregular. The four great families were always on the lookout for its opening.

There was a strict rule that everyone must enter the Lu Yin Secret Realm once within a specified age range.

The tasks in the Lu Yin Secret Realm weren’t particularly difficult. They were assigned by drawing lots, and one only needed to collect the specified medicinal herbs and return within the given time.

While the opening time of the Lu Yin Secret Realm was unpredictable, its closing time was very regular. It would close precisely after twenty days, which had never changed over the years.

Su Xin understood the reason for Duanmu Qiao’s change in attitude. With her current level of ability, entering the Lu Yin Secret Realm would be tantamount to seeking death.

A thorough, complete death – the kind that would reduce her to ashes.

And most importantly, once inside the Lu Yin Secret Realm, one’s life and death were in their own hands.

This was essentially the first elimination round for the great families. Only those who could emerge would be considered to have preliminarily passed the trial.

Which also meant that killing would occur inside.

But this was the law of survival, cruel and merciless.

People who could use magic weren’t uncommon on this continent, and the nation’s strategy was to prioritize quality over quantity. It’s worth noting that a high-level magician could easily handle a hundred low-level magicians.

This vast disparity in power also gave birth to brutal selection rules.

The Lu Yin Secret Realm was expansive. Whether you killed your way through or hid the entire time, whether you went solo or formed alliances, it didn’t matter. As long as you could emerge alive, you passed.

There were quite a few people who disliked Su Xin, which was evident even in daily life, and she was so weak…

Duanmu Qiao was worried not only that Su Xin would fail to complete the task and be unable to escape from the dangerous Lu Yin Secret Realm, but also that she might be killed by others.

Although Duanmu Qiao had thought more than once that it wouldn’t matter if this useless sixth daughter died, which was why he had repeatedly stood by and done nothing, not looking or caring, when it came to the moment of facing her seemingly inevitable death, he still hoped she could struggle a bit.

“Thank you, Father.”

Su Xin’s face grew even paler, and her whole body was visibly trembling.

“It will be within these few days. Prepare yourself well.”

Duanmu Qiao sighed.

He had just received the news himself and hurriedly gave these things to Su Xin. He didn’t know if the child could even grasp this sword in the next few days. It was all up to fate now.

“Yes.”

“Your unfilial daughter thanks you, Father, for the kindness of raising me all these years.”

Su Xin, holding the sword and its manual, bowed to Duanmu Qiao.

To be fair, Duanmu Qiao wasn’t exactly a bad father, considering the greater context of their era.

When the original owner’s aptitude was first tested, Duanmu Qiao didn’t immediately choose to give up. Instead, he fed her many rare and precious treasures, but unfortunately, they had no effect at all.

Later, as the original owner became increasingly useless, Duanmu Qiao began to neglect and ignore her, but he never deprived her of food and drink.

Because of this, the original owner neither hated nor blamed her father; it was simply that she herself was too weak.

She also didn’t blame her brothers and sisters for watching her being bullied or even stepping on her a few times, after all, they had no obligation to help her.

The original owner was very soft, with a weak personality, and even a bit of a martyr complex.

Su Xin didn’t blame Duanmu Qiao as a father; his actions today had greatly improved her opinion of him. However, she held no fondness for her brothers and sisters, except for Duanmu Ziqing.

Minding one’s own business was expected; no one asked them to care. But stepping on her a few times was very annoying.

“You may go now.”

“Yes.”

Su Xin placed the sword and its manual in her storage ring. She did have a storage ring of her own, as well as several storage bags. As the sixth young lady of the Duanmu family, she didn’t lack such items.

When Duanmu Qiao gave her the sword and its manual, he also gave her a storage bag. When Su Xin scanned its contents with her spiritual sense, she found various medicines for treating injuries and several small defensive magical devices.

It seemed like a lot, but in the perilous Lu Yin Secret Realm, it might not be enough.

The stay inside was supposed to last twenty days, though not necessarily the full twenty. One could go to the exit once the task was completed. However, in the past, some people had set ambushes at the exit to cause trouble. The Lu Yin Secret Realm contained many valuable items, and whatever one obtained became their own. So, some chose to stay longer, as there wouldn’t be another chance, while others preferred to leave early. It mainly depended on the individual.

Su Xin planned to stay the full twenty days. After all, good things shouldn’t be passed up, even if she might not survive to claim them.

Mainly, she felt that things wouldn’t be so simple. According to her thinking, those who were hostile towards her would surely take this opportunity to eliminate her, as killing her would actually be quite easy.

But that was in the past. To put it arrogantly, those who could kill her hadn’t even been born yet.

Well… dying from being hit by a truck while saving someone doesn’t count!

Su Xin hoped things wouldn’t go in the worst direction. Life was already too difficult.

Su Xin returned to her small courtyard and summoned Liuxin.

“Young Miss.”

“In a few days, the Lu Yin Secret Realm will open.”

Su Xin said with a hint of despair, looking very afraid.

Liu Xin’s expression showed a rare flicker of emotion. She looked at Su Xin, then lowered her head.

“I don’t know if I’ll be able to come out. How would you like me to arrange things for you?”

“I’ll follow whatever the Young Miss decides.”

Liu Xin maintained her obedient and respectful demeanor, as if any decision would be fine with her.

“Then I’ll send you to Fourth Brother’s place. You’ll face less bullying there. I’ll go and ask him soon.”

Duanmu Ziqing was also going to enter the Lu Yin Secret Realm. Su Xin planned to see if it would be convenient. If Duanmu Ziqing showed any reluctance, she wouldn’t bother anyone else. If Duanmu Ziqing suggested it first, she would be glad to find herself a supporter.

However, Su Xin was absolutely planning to separate from Duanmu Ziqing later, as she wanted to use this secret realm to improve her own strength.

As for Su Xin, even before entering, she had already decided not to come out of that secret realm.

“I’ll follow whatever the Young Miss decides.”

Liu Xin repeated her previous response.

Su Xin dismissed Liu Xin. After Liu Xin closed the door, the frightened expression on Su Xin’s face completely disappeared.

For some reason, she always felt that this expressionless maid called Liu Xin was problematic. It was a strange intuition, but Su Xin had always trusted her instincts, which had helped her avoid many dangers.

Su Xin first went to the courtyard where Duanmu Ziqing and the Third Madam were staying to request an audience. By this time, Duanmu Ziqing and the Third Madam had also learned about the news of the Lu Yin Secret Realm. They exchanged a glance and had someone bring Su Xin in.

Su Xin first paid her respects, then explained her purpose for coming.

“It’s just one servant. I can certainly afford to keep her. This is not a problem.”

The Third Madam agreed readily.

“Sixth Sister, you… must be extremely careful.”

“Yes, yes. Furan will always remember the kindness of Third Madam and Fourth Brother.”

The three of them then chatted for a while. Throughout the conversation, neither the Third Madam nor her son mentioned anything about having Su Xin stay close to Duanmu Ziqing. Su Xin also didn’t express any such intention and took her leave efficiently.

Su Xin began to study the sword and swordsmanship manual given to her by Duanmu Qiao. She had never encountered such things before.

After all, in the modern society of daggers and firearms, what assassin would still use a sword to kill? It would be simply ridiculous.

However, Su Xin had an astonishing talent for all kinds of weapons, as her former teacher had once said.

No matter what weapon it was, she could always quickly master it.

“Su Xin, you were born to each this bowl of rice.”

This was what the leader of the organization had once told her. Su Xin had gladly accepted it, proudly and deservedly so.

Su Xin flipped through the sword manual. After reading it all the way through, she picked up the sword and began to practice tentatively. However, just after trying the first move, she put the sword down.

This sword manual is not suitable for her.

This is clearly a sword technique very suitable for girls to practice, graceful and nimble, with hidden sharpness within its gentleness.

If it were for the original owner to practice, it might have been fine.

But Su Xin cannot do it; her aura is too fierce, not suitable for this kind of gentle sword technique.

Su Xin discarded that sword manual, put them away carefully, and again entered a state of meditation.

This time, more red light surged up, floating in the palm of Su Xin’s hand.

Su Xin raised an eyebrow, as if discovering a very interesting situation.

Previously, she had been extremely cautious, even trying to please those small red dots, but after just failing to practice the sword technique, her entire being became a bit irritable.

So after entering the meditative state, that not-yet-suppressed aura spread out, unexpectedly attracting even more fire elements.

Su Xin began to conduct an experiment, recklessly releasing her own aura.

The fire elements drew closer, and by the time Su Xin exhaustedly withdrew from that state, the fire light in her palm emitted a scorching aura.

But it was still far from enough. Su Xin didn’t go to the practice room; generally speaking, these elements in the air are used up bit by bit, and regeneration takes time. If she were in a space where elements surge, Su Xin could progress more quickly.

Su Xin looked at the sky outside the window; it was already very late.

Liu Xin reheated the meal for the third time, and after hearing movement, knocked on the door.

The next day, Su Xin picked up that sword again.

This time, she completely abandoned the original sword technique and forgot all the content she had read yesterday.

Su Xin picked up the sword and wielded it casually, according to the moves she had in mind.

Su Xin had seen Japanese swordsmanship before, and combining it with the basic postures from the first few pages of the sword manual, she practiced haphazardly.

She didn’t need to push herself to reach any particular level or create any specific moves; she simply aimed for what felt natural.

Duanmu Yao, unusually, hadn’t come to disturb her these two days, and there was no news from her at all.

The news of Lu Yin Secret Realm opening early was likely known to many, and the younger generation of the four great families were already eager and ready. Who knows how many people were secretly waiting to see Su Xin make a fool of herself.

Two days later, the Lu Yin Secret Realm opened.

The Lu Yin Secret Realm was located on a beautiful mountain peak. The mountain had excellent scenery, lush and verdant, probably due to the abundance of spiritual energy.

People from all four great families gathered there, engaging in conversation with one another.

Su Xin’s nominal fiancé was among them. Mu Yao’s appearance was exceptionally refined, standing out like a crane among chickens.

Su Xin curiously glanced in that direction; she had always only heard of this person’s name but never seen him.

However, some attentive individuals caught this fleeting glance and began to whisper among themselves.

Mu Yao’s expression remained unchanged as he politely looked back at Su Xin, nodding slightly.

Su Xin was momentarily stunned, then nodded back.

Some people observed this interaction and sneered inwardly.

Everyone knew that once Su Xin went in this time, she would certainly not come back.

On one hand, Su Xin’s strength was weak, and on the other, Mu Yao had also attracted a lot of enmity for her.

The more outstanding Mu Yao was, the more people wanted to marry him, while Su Xin, who occupied that engagement, was of low ability. No one would feel convinced.

How to make Mu Yao not fulfill the engagement? It was simple: his fiancée just needed to die.

So when Su Xin appeared here, many people cast hostile glances at her.

Su Xin sighed inwardly, “Troublesome.”

Those who wanted to deal with her were not just from the Duanmu family, but also from the other three great families.

The elders briefly gave instructions about related matters and began the task draw.

A total of 39 people came this time, with a fairly even distribution among the great families.

Su Xin drew the Xuanzhen flower. She didn’t know where it was, having only seen its illustration in a reference book.

So, in fact, this kind of task also depends on luck, doesn’t it? Otherwise, if one wanders around the secret realm for many days without finding the task objective, wouldn’t that be very embarrassing?

Everyone gradually entered the secret realm, stepping onto the teleportation formation.

When Su Xin entered, she saw a swamp emitting a strange odor.

The smell was neither foul nor fragrant, but inhaling it made one feel dizzy.

Su Xin shook her head and looked at the somewhat eerie environment.

She didn’t think about finding her task objective, the Xuanzhen flower. Who cares about whatever flowers and plants? Anyway, she currently had no intention of leaving this place.

However, she still needed to get out of this swamp first. She couldn’t sense the presence of the fire element here, making it impossible to practice properly.

She wondered if everyone else was as unlucky as her, because Su Xin was now in the central area of the swamp, on a single log bridge.

The area of this swamp was vast, but this log bridge was unreasonably long, extending for two more weeks, connecting both shores.

The swamp was bubbling with eerie bubbles, exuding a dangerous aura.

Su Xin’s mouth twitched as she chose a direction and started walking towards it.

As an excellent assassin, her sense of balance was certainly very good.

Su Xin had walked on balance beams many times, so this log bridge didn’t pose much difficulty for her.

However, unexpected events always seem to befall the protagonist so suddenly, like now.

Su Xin felt the log bridge suddenly shake. She almost lost her balance, using both hands to grip the log bridge, then flipping her body over, barely managing to stabilize herself.

What the hell?

【There’s something in the swamp.】

Fourteen kindly reminded.

Of course I know there’s something in there, but what the hell is it?

Su Xin looked at her trouser leg, which had been splashed with a bit of muddy water, feeling somewhat irritated.

She really hated these sticky things.

The thing causing trouble in the swamp quickly revealed its true form, making Su Xin’s eyes hurt.

This thing… was ugly beyond belief.

It was a long, winding, snake-like creature, but vastly different from a snake’s appearance. It looked like an enlarged version of a giant earthworm. Its color was indiscernible as it was covered in swamp mud.

It swam very quickly and was extremely agile in the swamp.

Part of its body had already climbed onto the log bridge, seemingly intending to wrap its entire body around the bridge and then move towards Su Xin’s position.

Su Xin had to admit it was quite clever. If it had moved in a straight line, directly emerging from the swamp to attack humans, it would have been easily dodged.

This fellow probably wasn’t attacking people for the first time; it seemed experienced in its business.

Su Xin compared their respective combat abilities and considered the swamp, which she might not be able to escape if she fell in. She decided to run towards the other side.

Generally speaking, those who entered this secret realm were all from the four great families, meaning they were all magicians.

In such a situation, their first thought shouldn’t be to run, but to use their abilities to confront the enemy.

But Su Xin couldn’t do that. This place had no fire elements, and if she used the little she had stored to deal with this giant earthworm, it would be too disadvantageous.

Fire might not be able to burn in this place. Although there wasn’t water in the true sense, the swamp could still extinguish fire.

In fact, most importantly, Su Xin’s strength didn’t allow it.

Su Xin steadied herself and began running quickly towards the other end of the log bridge. Behind her, the giant earthworm swam at a very fast speed, chasing after her.

Su Xin realized that the giant earthworm had already darted in front of her.

This might really be an earthworm, able to wriggle from both ends.

Both ends of the log bridge were occupied by this strange creature, with its head on one side and tail on the other, its body gradually wrapping around the bridge.

What the hell is this thing? Damn, it’s disgusting.

Su Xin chose not to flee anymore. Instead, she nimbly leaped onto the monster’s body.

The trouble was, seemingly affected by the swamp, the monster’s body was slippery, making it difficult to maintain one’s footing.

Su Xin moved her body quickly, her movements even more agile than the monster’s.

Spinning, jumping, front flips, back flips, Su Xin bounced around on the monster’s body like a juggler, then stopped at one spot.

That spot was merely two steps away from the monster’s head.

The monster lunged forward fiercely, but became paralyzed at that position, unable to move.

It tried hard to straighten its body, making some noises.

Su Xin observed that although these monsters had mouths, they had no tongues. In any case, they were just incredibly ugly.

Su Xin stood firmly in place, not moving at all, with her arms folded, watching the monster struggle as if enjoying a show.

The monster looked extremely irritated, stretching its body taut. Su Xin let out a sneer.

Come and bite me, can you even reach?

This was a monster, and although it seemed experienced, it apparently didn’t have much intelligence. However, her method of continuously outmaneuvering it without using force was probably the first of its kind.

The monster’s body was knotted and trapped on the log bridge, now unable to move.

Su Xin casually stepped on the monster’s head, heading towards the other side of the log bridge.

Although it seemed easier to pass through the side where Su Xin had just been standing, her instinct told her that the other side would be safer.

Su Xin stepped over its body, crossed the log bridge, moved her lips, and said two words.

F*cking idiot.

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